Anyone Heard the DeVore Silverbacks?

hi,
Sorry it's taken me a while to get back to you. I've been busy and away from 'audio.' One of the best features of the Silverback is its versatility. While it works well with lower powered tube amps, there is no reason to think that it won't shine with more powerful tube amps. I believe that the ARC VT100 is one of DeVore's favorite amps, but you can check with him to confirm that. I don't know the SP16 myself, but I can't think of a good reason why the Silverback wouldn't be a match for your electronics.
As I said in the review, the DeVore are among the most transparent to the source speakers I know, and this means that if you love the sound of your electronics, you are likely going to enjoy hearing them through the Silverback.
I hope this has been helpful to you.
Sincerely,
Jules

Sorry, btw that you thought of my review as lofty. I don't think I said they made great music, blah, blah, blah :-)I thought I tried to describe in detail the approach to design deVore adopted and to contrast it with other approaches. I think I said it was immediate and vivid, like horns, but more coherent; more detailed in the lower frequencies than the B&W alternatives in the same price range; and while just as extended in the high frequencies as the WPSystem 7 considerably better balanced. Balanced top to bottom, coherent integration of the drivers, extended at the top and bottom, even handedly dynamic, immediate, vivid, extremely detailed without calling attention to the details, and a relaxed non-attention getting presentation. I think that's a lot more than 'great music, blah blah blah' :-)
Jules
Jules

I have the Gibbon 8s with an audiomat arpege in one of my systems -- it's great. I've been thinking hard about "upgrading" to the "super gibbon," but would like to know more about it -- even a review, if it's out there.

Spoke to John and he's got an ARC VT100 mk 3, I believe. Forgot to ask about pre-amp. One "bargain" choice is the ARC SP9 Mk 2. I've had one since 1990 and it's terrifc. According to know ARC afficionados and even Leonard, it beats some of their current offerings (and a dealer whispered that it beats the SP16). Just a great device.

Has anyone compared them to the Coincident Total Victory IIs? Both are high-sensitivity floorstanders with side-firing woofers, in a similar budget range.

Actually, I did "upgrade" to the Super Gibbon. And, with a mild whiff of regret, I "upgraded" right out of it.

I think it's a very good loudspeaker and just wonderfully detailed. However, I thought it lacked some presence and, like the original, is a bit trebly. Impressive at first, but a bit much after a while. Wonderful imaging, though, and uncanny levels of detail and handling of dynamics.

I would like to hear the Silverbacks. However, I rather think a Von Schweikert or planar speaker would be more interesting -- just based on my experience of owning two Gibbons.